BSc Medical Sciences
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Medical Sciences is an undergraduate degree exploring the molecular, cellular, physiological and psychological processes affecting human health and biology. Core topics include Research Methods and Clinical Skills. The course offers an optional professional placement year, an optional year abroad, and an optional foundation year. The first year covers foundational concepts through Biomedical Investigation and Experimentation, Human Anatomy and Physiology: Cells to Systems, Human Metabolism, Human Disease, Infection and Immunity, Study skills and personal development, Interprofessional Learning 1, and Psychobiological and Cognitive Aspects of Health Behaviour. The second year builds on this knowledge with Evidence-Based Practice in Biomedical Science, Genetic Continuity and Diversity, Cell Biology in Health and Disease, Infection, Immunity and Disease, Systems Physiology: Function and Dysfunction, and Placements and Employability, alongside optional choices such as Clinical Haematology and Biochemistry and Individual Differences in Behaviour. The final year includes the compulsory Personal Research Project and Personal Development and Employability, while optional modules allow specialisation in areas like Clinical Microbiology, Cellular Basis of Immunity, Current Issues in Neurobiology, Reproductive Science, Contemporary Issues in Human Health, Diet, Exercise and Chronic Disease, and Clinical Genetics and Bioinformatics. Additionally, students can undertake a biomedical sciences placement module of at least 26 weeks between stages.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
GCSE: 5 GCSE subjects at grade C/4 or above are preferred and this does not necessarily need to be Mathematics and English subjects. A level: 104 points from a minimum of 3 A levels, including grade B in Biology/Human Biology and grade C in a relevant second science. General Studies excluded. Relevant second sciences : Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geology, Geography, and Psychology. BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM – depending on the BTEC and units studied. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application or contact Admissions for further advice. All Access courses: Pass an Access to HE Diploma with 30 Level 3 credits at distinction, including 15 Level 3 credits in Biology and 15 Level 3 credits in a second relevant science. The remaining 15 Level 3 credits must be at merit or above. T level: Merit. Overall preference pathways would be Health or Science. International Baccalaureate: 26 overall to include 5 at Higher Level Biology and 4 at Higher Level second Science subject. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.
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What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 5 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 35%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 40%
Most common jobs
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 50%
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 220 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 4%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 49%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Other HE qualification: 35%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biomedical Sciences: Placement
- Biomedical Investigation and Experimentation
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: Cells to Systems
- Human Metabolism
- Human Disease
- Infection and Immunity
- Study skills and personal development
- Interprofessional Learning 1
- Psychobiological and Cognitive Aspects of Health Behaviour
- Evidence-Based Practice in Biomedical Science
- Genetic Continuity and Diversity
- Cell Biology in Health and Disease
- Infection, Immunity and Disease
- Systems Physiology: Function and Dysfunction
- Placements and Employability
- Clinical Haematology and Biochemistry
- Individual Differences in Behaviour
- Personal Research Project
- Personal Development and Employability
- Clinical Microbiology
- Cellular Basis of Immunity
- Current Issues in Neurobiology
- Reproductive Science
- Contemporary Issues in Human Health
- Diet, Exercise and Chronic Disease
- Clinical Genetics and Bioinformatics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Medical Sciences at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,000 and £33,000. The £27,500 median after five years is £11,500 less than the UK median for Biomedical sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Medical Sciences at University of Plymouth do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Medical Sciences at University of Plymouth?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Medical Sciences at University of Plymouth?
The average entrant had 133 UCAS points.
Does BSc Medical Sciences at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Medical Sciences at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.